By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Incoming eighth and ninth grade students have the opportunity to become more familiar with Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) through TFB’s Jumpstart and Activate programs.

“Jumpstart and Activate make up the first half of the Student Success Series programs offered,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said.  The program is an opportunity for students to learn more about their community, agriculture and to develop critical professional skills.”

Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a free, virtual program open to students in the graduating class of 2028.

Participants will become familiar with TFB, learn more information about Texas agriculture and grow leadership skills.

“Student’s will develop an understanding of Texas Farm Bureau, develop an understanding of leadership and its importance in our everyday lives no matter one’s age. They’ll also explore career opportunities within the Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources career cluster and develop an understanding of critical professional skills and business etiquette,” Bush said.

Activate
Activate is a free, virtual program open to students in the graduating class of 2027.

Participants will learn more about TFB, be challenged to create a plan for leaving a legacy, explore career opportunities and trends and be engaged in personal and professional etiquette.

“Through Activate, students continue to develop their understanding of Farm Bureau, dive into the concept of leaving a legacy and how, as freshmen, they can begin to craft their legacy, dive into the agricultural supply chain and explore methods to develop a positive and impactful personal brand,” she said.

Student Success Series
Jumpstart and Activate are a part of TFB’s Student Success Series, which also includes Engage and Thrive.

“The Student Success Series takes concepts such as leadership, personal branding and careers and looks at them through the lens of agriculture,” Bush said. “Students have the opportunity to view these concepts in a different way than adjacent programs and develop an informed understanding of agriculture and the role it plays in our lives.”

Engage is an in-person event hosted in each of the 13 TFB districts for high school sophomores and juniors.

Thrive is a three-day conference designed to equip high school seniors with leadership and public speaking skills.

Registration details
Registration for Jumpstart and Activate will be available through Sept. 15.

Online modules must be completed by Oct. 1-31.

For additional details and to register, visit texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities/student-success-series.

Contact Bush at mbush@txfb.org or call 254-399-5037 with questions.